Anthropology at Washington University in St Louis

Washington University delivers surprisingly strong outcomes for anthropology majors, placing in the 94th percentile nationally with first-year earnings of $34,489—nearly $7,000 above the national median for this field. While that 60th percentile ranking among Missouri programs might seem less impressive, remember you're competing against just 10 other schools, including Mizzou's well-regarded program ($31,926). More importantly, WashU graduates leave with just $15,000 in debt compared to the state median of $21,550, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 that's highly manageable even on an anthropology income.

The real value here is accessibility to elite credentials without crushing debt. At a school with a 12% admission rate and 1530 median SAT, you're getting an academically selective environment that typically commands six-figure debt loads—yet anthropology majors here graduate owing roughly what they'll earn in their first five months of work. That's exceptional leverage for a liberal arts degree that often serves as a stepping stone to graduate school, nonprofit work, or career pivots.

For families who can afford WashU's sticker price or qualify for their need-based aid, this represents a low-risk way to pursue anthropology at an institution where the name carries weight. The modest first-year earnings are typical for the field, not a program-specific weakness.